This study helps confirms research done by us here at Connected Nation. Our most recent consumer survey (conducted in 12 states and Puerto Rico with a sample size of 15,647 adults) of U.S. households shows a broadband adoption rate in rural America of only 54%, which is 11 percentage points below average. Further, according to Connected Nation research, computer ownership in rural America is six percentage points lower than average.

All of these data confirm that, as the public and private sectors partner together at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure all Americans have access to and are using affordable broadband services, rural America faces unique challenges (such as distance and low household density, in addition to socio-economic factors that impact all disadvantaged demographic groups) that require specialized attention and solutions.